Automatic cancelling turn signal with



2O 0 6 1 3 4 I BEST AVAILABLE COPY Examhlej f A m 7 j 7 Aug. 19, 1969 w,51m ETAL Re. 26,648

AUTOIATIC CANCELLING TURN SIGNAL WITH AN INTERMEDIATE SIGNAL POSITIONWHICH IS MANUALLY OFERABLE AND RELBASABLB olllllll. Filed Oct. 11, 19652 Sheets-Sheet. 1

as n t INVENTORS.

Wa/fer 7? 670/ Roberf Thomson BY WWW QTTORNEYS Aug. 19, 1969 w 'o ETALRe. 26,648

AUTOMATIC CANCBLLING TURN SIGNAL WITH AN INTERMEDIATE SIGNAL POSITIONWHICH IS MANUALLY OPERABLE AND RELEASABLE Original Filed Oct. 11, 1965 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Wa/fer' 7. .5701' Roberf Thomson ,ZMWM

97' TORNEYS JNVENTORS.

United States Patent 26,648 AUTOMATIC CANCELLING TURN SIGNAL WITH ANINTERMEDIATE SIGNAL POSITION WHICH IS MANUALLY OPERABLE AND RELEASABLEWalter Stoi, Warren, and Robert Thomson, Dearhorn Heights, Mich.,assignors, by mesne assignments, to Essex International Inc., acorporation of Michigan Original No. 3,284,592, dated Nov. 8, 1966, Ser.No. 494,623, Oct. 11, 1965. Application for reissue Oct. 18, 1968, Ser.No. 769,453

Int. Cl. H01h 3/16 U.S. Cl. 200--61.34 18 Claims Matter enclosed inheavy brackets If] appears in the original patent but forms no part ofthis reissue specification: matter printed in italics indicates theadditions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Vehicle direction signal operating apparatushasan actuator movable manually from a neutral position to either one oftwo latched operating positions for operating selectively the vehicle'sleft or right direction signals and movable automatically from eitheroperating position to the neutral position in response to operation ofthe vehicle's steering mechanism. Yieldable abutment means in the pathof manual movement of the actuator from its neutral position towardeither operating position arrests the actuator in an intermediateposition in which a selected one of the left or right direction signalsis operable. From either intermediate position the actuator may bereturned automatically to its neutral position or alternatively toeither of its latched operating positions.

This invention relates to vehicle directional signaling apparatus andmore particularly to apparatus which may be actuated to indicate animpending change in direction of the vehicle and in which thecancellation of the signaling indicators may be effected either inresponse to movement of the vehicle's steering mechanism or upon releaseof the actuating means by the vehicle's driver.

Direction signaling apparatus currently in use on most vehicles includesa manually operable actuator which may be moved from a neutral positionto either one of two operating positions so as to indicate either aleft-hand or a right-hand turn. The actuator of such mechanismconventionally is releasably latched in either of the operatingpositions and may be restored to its neutral position upon rotation ofthe vehicles steering wheel through a predetermined arc. There are manyinstances, however, in which the driver of the vehicle wishes to signala change in direction and which will not result in movement of thesteering wheel through an arc suflicient to eflect concellation of thesignal. For example, a change of lanes on an expressway or other highwayordinarily will not require rotation of the vehicles steering wheelthrough an arc sufficiently great to restore an actuated directionsignal to its neutral position. In those instances where a driveractuates the vehicle's direction signal to indicate a lane change andthen fails to cancel the direction signal, the vehicle may travel formany miles with the direction signal operating. Operation of a vehicle'sdirection signals under these circumstances can be both annoying andhazardous.

An object of this invention is to provide direction signaling apparatuswhich selectively may be moved from a neutral position to a latchedoperating position or from a neutral position to an unlatched operatingposition and which may be restored automatically to neutral positionfrom either operating position.

Another object of the invention is to provide direction signalingapparatus of the character described which reice quires no substantialmodification of the electrical circuitry of the vehicle with which theapparatus is intended for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide direction signalingapparatus of the kind referred to and which may be moved from itsneutral position to either of the above referred to operating positionswithout requiring any substantial increase in the operating effortrequired to effect movement of the actuating mechanism to eitheroperating position.

A further object of the invention is to provide direction signalingapparatus of the character described and in which movement of theactuating mechanism to either of the operating positions above referredto may be effected in the same way that the actuating mechanism ofcurrently available direction signaling devices are adjusted.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be pointed outspecifically or will become apparent from the following description whenit is considered in conjunction with the appended claims and theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary plan view of direction signaling apparatusconstructed in accordance with the invention and illustrating itsrelationship with the steering shaft of a vehicle, the shaft being shownin section;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged, bottom plan view of the actuating member of thedirection signaling apparatus;

FIGURE 3 is a front elevational view of the actuating member;

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary plan view of the support or switchcasing of the direction signaling apparatus, with portions of theactuating member being shown in section and illustrating the positionsof the parts when the actuating member is in its neutral position;

FIGURE 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 55 of FIGURE4;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 4, but illustrating the positionsof the parts when the actuating member is moved to an intermediate,unlatched operating position;

FIGURE 7 is a view similar to FIGURE 6, but illustrating the positionsof the parts when the actuating member has been moved to one of itslatched operating positions; and

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged, sectional view taken on the line 8-8 of FIGURE[6] 4.

Apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention is adapted foruse in conjunction with a vehicle having a rotatable steering shaft 1which may be rotated in response to rotation of the vehicles steeringwheel (not shown), and which includes a radially projecting cancelingcam 2 that rotates with the shaft 1. Surrounding the shaft 1 is atubular column terminating at its upper end in a housing 3 on which thedirection signaling apparatus may be mounted.

The direction signaling apparatus constructed in accordance with thedisclosed embodiment of the invention comprises a molded, arcuate casingor support 5 formed of insulating material such as nylon to which isintegrally joined an annular flange 6 which may be secured to thehousing 3 by suitable means such as screws 7. The casing 5 includes abase 8 from which depends a tubular boss 9 in which is mounted a shaft10 which, at its upper end, is substantially rectangular incross-section. A generally hourglass-shaped opening 11 is formed in thebase 8 so as to permit oscillation of the shaft 10.

At one end of the casing 5 is an integral, flexible rib 12 atsubstantially the center of which is a latching detent 13 comprising apair of spaced apart, outwardly projecting nodes 14 and 15 joined bysubstantially Ushaped web 16. Similar parts are provided at the oppositeend of the casing and are identified by similar reference characters,followed by the suffix a.

Adjacent one end of the casing 5 is a raised shelf 17 on which issecured a pair of spaced apart, electrically conductive, fixed contacts18 and 19 which may be connected by suitable wiring (not shown) to theright front and left rear signaling devices (not shown), respectively,of the vehicle. Similar parts are located at the opposite end of thecasing and are identified by similar reference characters followed bythe suflix a, it being understood that the fixed contacts 18a and 19aare connected respectively to the left front and right rear vehiclesignaling devices.

The shelf 17 terminates adjacent the contact 19 in an abrupt wall 20which forms one end of an opening 21 provided in the casing 5.Integrally joined to the shelf 17 is a resilient arm or finger 22, theother end of which projects beyond the wall 20 and is free, therebyenabling the free end of the arm 22 to flex toward and away from theadjacent rib l2. Adjacent the free end of the arm 22 is a stop block 23which subsequently will be referred to in more detail.

It is preferred that a second flexible arm 24 be accommodated in theopening 21. One end of the arm 24 is integrally joined to the casing 5and its other end projects toward but terminates short of the end wall20 of the shelf 17. Thus, the arm 24 is capable of being flexedsimilarly to the arm 22. The arm 24 preferably includes a stop block 25for a purpose presently to be described. Similar apparatus is providedat the opposite end of the casing 5.

An actuating member designated generally by the reference character 26and molded of nylon or other insulating material includes an arcuatebody ortion 27 having a generally rectangular opening 28 therein inwhich the shaft 10 may be accommodated so as to effect rocking movementof the actuating member in either of two opposite directions from theneutral position shown in FIG- URE 1. To effect rocking of the actuatingmember, a handle 29 may be secured to the shaft 10 as is conventional.

At one end of the actuating member is provided an integral, flexiblereturn finger 30 which projects toward, but is out of the path ofrotation of the cam 2 when the actuating member is in its neutralposition. Adjacent the finger 30 the body 27 of the actuating memberterminates in an abutment 31 which normally is free of the arm 30, butwhich may be engaged by the latter under certain conditions whichpresently will be described. Also integrally formed on the under surfaceof the actuator body 27 is a latch post or detent 32 which, when theactuator and easing are assembled, engages the latching detent 13.Similar parts are provided at the opposite end of the actuating body 27and are identified by similar reference characters followed by thesufi'ix a.

Secured to the actuating member 26 is a pair of electrically conductivecontacts 33 and 34. The contact 33 may be connected to the vehiclesbattery (not shown) through a brake pedal operated switch (not shown) ina conventional manner. The contact 34 may be connected by wiring to thevehicle's battery through a flasher unit (not shown) as also isconventional. In electrical engagement with the contact 33 is anelectrically conductive switch member 35 having arms 36 and 36a formedof springy material and which are adapted to engage the contacts 19,19a, respectively. In electrical engagement with the contact 34 is aswitch member 37 having arms 38 and 38a formed of springy material andwhich are adapted to be engaged with the contacts 18, 19 and 18a, 19a,respectively. The arms 36 and 38 are flexible and are maintained inspaced apart relation for movement with the actuating member by means ofa positioning rib 39 formed on the under surface of the actuating memberrespective arms are accommodated. Similar means are and having a pair ofgrooves 40 and 41 in which the associated with the arms 36a and 38a.

The arms 38, 38a of the switching member 37 are longer than the arms ofthe switching member 35. The length of the latter arms is such that,when the actuating member is assembled with the casing, the arms 36, 36aspan the distance between the fixed contacts 19, 19a and rest upon thelatter when the actuator is in its neutral position. The arms of theswitching member 37, however, project radially beyond the associatedfixed contacts so as to span the distance between the flexible arms 22,22a. When the actuator is in its neutral position, the arm 38 rests uponan upstanding platform 42 formed on the arm 22 and having downwardlyinclined ramps 43 and 44 at its opposite ends. The level of the platform42 is such that the arm 38, in the neutral position of the actuatingmember, is supported at a level above the level of the fixed contacts 18and 19. A similar platform 42a is formed on the arm 23a so as to supportthe arm 38a above the level of the fixed contacts 18a and 19a when theactuating member is in its neutral position. The springiness of the arms38, 38a, however, biases them in such direction as to move them towardthe level of the respective fixed contacts. Accordingly, upon movementof the actuating member 26 in either direction about the axis of theshaft 10, the arms 38, 38a will ride down the appropriate ramps so as toengage the upper surfaces of the appropriate fixed contacts.

In the operation of the apparatus thus far described, movement of theoperating handle 29 clockwise from the position shown in FIGURE 1 willeffect corresponding movement of the actuating member 26 to an operatingposition in which the switching members 35 and 37 move clockwise fromthe positions shown in FIGURE 4 to the positions shown in FIGURE 7. Inthe latter positions, the arm 38 will have been moved off the platform42 through such an are as to engage the fixed contact 18. The arm 38awill have been moved off the platform 42a through a similar arc and intoengagement with the contact 19a so as to supply to the contacts 18 and19a intermittent electrical energy via the fiasher unit and therebyenable the direction signaling devices at the right front and right rearof the vehicle to flash intermittently. The arm 36 of the switchingmember 35 will have moved through a similar arc, but will continue toengage the fixed contact 19 so as to enable current to be supplied tothe latter upon the closing of the brake pedal actuated switch. The arm36a, however, will have been moved clockwise to a position free ofengagement with the contact 19a and out of circuit with the signalingdevices of the vehicle.

Closewise movement of the actuating member 36 from the position shown inFIGURES 1 and 4 to the position shown in FIGURE 7 also will effectcorresponding and over centering movement of the posts 32, 32a relativeto the detents 13, 13a to positions in which the posts engage the nodes15 and 14a, respectively, thereby yieldably latching the actuatingmember in its operating position. In these positions of the parts, thereturn finger 30 will lie in the path of rotation of the cam 2 so that,upon counterclockwise rotation of the steering shaft 1, the cam 2 willengage the finger 30 and urge it into engagement with the abutment 31 soas to restore the actuating member to its neutral position.

It will be understood that the actuating member 26 may be rockedcounterclockwise from the position shown in FIGURE 1 so as to effectrelative movement of the members 4 and 26 to such positions that theswitching member 37 engages the contacts 19, 18a and the switch ingmember 35 engages only the contact 19a, in which event the directionsignaling devices, at the left-hand side of the vehicle will be actuatedto indicate a left-hand turn.

Upon movement of the actuator member to either of the operatingpositions just described, the actuating memher will be latched in theselected operating position until such time as it is restored to itsneutral position in response to engagement of the cam 2 with theappropriate return finger 30, 30a. Apparatus constructed in accordancewith the invention, however, includes means for arresting the actuatingmember in either one of two intermediate positions in which thedirection signaling devices may be operated, but from either of whichthe actuating member may be restored to its neutral position withoutregard to rotation of the steering mechanism, and from either of whichthe actuator may be moved to one of its latched operating positions. Themeans for arresting the actuating member in an intermediate positioncomprises a pair of depending stop posts or blocks 45 and 45a locatedadjacent opposite ends of the actuator body 27 and formed integrallytherewith. The post 45 is of such size and is so located that, when theactuator 2t) is in its neutral position, the post 45 occupies a position(see FIGURE 4) between the flexible fingers 22 and 24 and between thestop members 23 and 25. The post 45a occupies a similar position betweenthe arms 22a and 24a. The blocks 23, however, lies in the path ofclockwise movement of the post 45, and the block 25 lies in the path ofcounterclockwise movement of the post 45. Similarly, the block 23a liesin the path of counterclockwise movement of the post 45a, and the block25a lies in the path of clockwise movement of the post 45a.

Upon movement of the handle 29 to effect clockwise rocking of theactuator 26 clockwise from the position shown in FIGURE 1, the posts 45and 45a will move clockwise from the positions shown in FIGURE 4 to thepositions shown in FIGURE 6 and in which they engage the blocks 23 and25a, respectively. Upon engagement of the posts and stop blocks, theoperator will encounter some resistance to further clockwise rocking ofthe actuator member and, although the resistance is not great, it willsignify to the operator that the actuating member has been moved throughan arc to an intermediate or arrested osition between its neutralposition and one of its fully adjusted operating positions.

In the intermediate position referred to above, the arm 36 of the switchmember 35 will remain in engagement with the contact 19 and the arm 38will have moved down the ramp 43 so as to engage the contact 18. The arm36a will have moved out of engagement with the contact 1921, and the arm38a will have moved down the ramp 44a and into engagement with thecontact 19a, thereby enabling the direction signaling devices at theright-hand side of the vehicle to flash intermittently. In the arrestedpositions of the parts, however, the actuator body will not have beenmoved clockwise through an arc of such magnitude as to effect overcentering of the latch parts 13, 13a and 32, 32a. Thus, in the positionsof these parts shown in FIGURE 6, the nodes and 14a exert forces on therespective posts 32 and 32a tending to restore the actuating member toits neutral position. In order to maintain the actuating member in itsimmediate position, therefore, the operator must hold the handle 29 inits adjusted position. Upon release of the handle by the operator, theresilience of the latch detents 13, 13a will effect restoration of theactuating member to its neutral position and etfect cancellation of thedirection signaling devices.

FIGURE 8 shows in full lines the position of the arm 38a when it is inits neutral position atop the platform 42a. In the dotted line positionjust to the left of the platform, the arm 38a is shown in itsintermediate position and, to the left of that position, the arms 38a isshown in its fully operating position.

When it is desired to move the actuating member to either of its fullyadjusted or latched operating positions, the stop posts 45, 45a willengage the associated stop blocks, whereupon the application of a slightadditional force on the operating handle 29 will enable the flexiblefingers 22, 24 and 22a, 24a to be deflected or withdrawn from the pathsof posts 45, 45a and permit movement of the blocks 45, 45a past theassociated arm-mounted stops. Once the detent posts 32, 32a have beenshifted to an over center position with respect to the associateddetents 13, 13a, the actuating member will be biased toward andreleasably latched in one of its operating positions as aforesaid.Movement of the actuating member beyond its fully adjusted or latchedoperating positions is limited by engagement of the posts 45, 45a withthe respective end walls 20, 20a of the shelf members 17, 17a.

The disclosed embodiment is representative of a presently preferred formof the invention, but is intended to be illustrative rather thandefinitive thereof. The invention is defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. In direction signaling apparatus of the kind having an actuatingmember mounted on a support member for movement from a neutral positiontoward a latched operating position, electrical contact means operablein response to such movement to condition an electrical circuit foroperation, and operating means for moving said actuating member fromsaid neutral position toward said latched position: abutment means onsaid members engageable in response to movement of said actuating memberfrom said neutral position toward said latched osition to arrest saidactuating member in an intermediate position between said neutralposition and said latched position and in which said electrical contactsare operable to condition said circuit for operation, said operatingmeans being capable of exerting sufiicient force on said actuatingmember to disable said abutment means and move said actuating memberfrom said intermediate position to said latched position and returnmeans independent of said operating means for returning said actuatingmember from said latched position to said neutral position.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1 including means reacting betweensaid members for biasing said actuating member to said neutral positionfrom said intermediate position.

3. Apparatus as set forth in claim [2] I including means reactingbetween said members in response to movement of said actuating memberpast said intermediate position toward said operating position to biassaid actuating member toward said operating position.

4. In direction signaling apparatus of the kind having an actuatingmember mounted on a support member for movement from a neutral positiontoward a latched operating position, electrical contact means operablein response to such movement to condition an electrical circuit foroperation, and operating means for moving said actuating member fromsaid neutral position toward said latched position: first abutment meanscarried by said actuating member; second abutment means carried by saidsupport member in the path of movement of said first abutment means andengageable with the latter in response to movement of said actuatingmember from said neutral position toward said latched position to arrestsaid actuating member in an intermediate position between said neutralposition and said latched position and in which said electrical contactsare operable to condition said circuit for operation, at least one ofsaid abutment means being yieldable, said operating means being capableof exerting sufficient force on said actuating member to deflect saidyieldable abutment means and enable movement of said actuating memberfrom said intermediate position to said latched position; and returnmeans independent of said operating means for returning said actuatingmember from said operating position to said neutral position.

5. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 including means reacting betweensaid support member and said actuating member for biasing the latter tosaid neutral position from said intermediate position.

6. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 including means reacting betweensaid support member and said actuating member in response to movement ofthe latter past said intermediate position toward said operatingposition to bias said actuating member toward said operating positron.

7. Apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said one of said abutmentmeans is carried by said support member.

8. Direction signaling apparatus comprising a support member; firstelectrical contact means carried by said support member; an actuatingmember mounted on said support member for movement from a neutralposition to a latched position; second electrical contact meansconnected to said actuating member for movement with the latter into andout of engagement with said first contact means; cooperable stop meanson each of said members engageable with one another in response tomovement of said actuating member from said neutral position toward saidlatched position for arresting said actuating member in an intermediateposition between said neutral and latched positions; [and] operatingmeans for moving said actuating member from said neutral position tosaid intermediate position and being capable of exerting sufficientforce on said actuating member to disable said stop means and move saidactuating member to said latched position, said first and second contactmeans being so located relatively to said members that they are out ofengagement with one another when said actuating member is in saidneutral position and are in engagement with one another when saidactuating member is in each of said intermediate and operatingpositions; and return means independent of said operating means forreturning said actuating member from said operating position to saidneutral position.

9. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein one of said stop means isflexible whereby said one of said stop means may be displaced relativelyto the other of said stop means to permit said actuating member to bemoved from said intermediate position to said operating positron.

10. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 including means reacting betweensaid support means and said actuating member for biasing the latter tosaid neutral position from said intermediate position.

11. Apparatus as set forth in claim 8 including means reacting betweensaid support member and said actuating member in response to movement ofthe latter past said intermediate position toward said operatingposition to bias said actuating member toward said latched position.

12. Direction signaling apparatus comprising a support member; firstelectrical contact means carried by said support member; an actuatingmember mounted on said support member for rocking movement about an axisfrom a neutral position to an operating position; second electricalcontact means connected to said actuating member for rocking movementwith the latter into and out of engagement with said first contactmeans; yieldable stop means on one of said members; second stop means onthe other of said members and engageable with said yieldable stop meansin response to movement of said actuating member to an intermediateposition between said neutral and operating positions for arrestingmovement of said actuating member to said operating position, said firstand second contact means being so located relatively to said membersthat they are out of engagement with one another when said actuatingmember is in said neutral position and are in engagement with oneanother when said actuating member is in each of said intermediate andoperating positions; [and] operating means connected to said actuatingmember for rocking the latter from said neutral position to saidintermediate position and for applying a force of such magnitude on saidactuating member as to enable said second stop means to deflect saidyieldable stop means and effect movement of said actuating member tosaid operating position; and return means independent of said operatingmeans for returning said actuating member from said operating positionto said neutral position.

13. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said yieldable stop meansis mounted on said support member.

14. Apparatus as set forth in claim 12 including spring means acting onsaid members and biasing said actuating member to said neutral positionfrom said intermediate position.

15. Apparatus as set forth in claim [14] 12 including cooperable latchmeans on said members operable to latch said operating member in saidoperating position.

16. Direction signaling apparatus for use with cam means rotatable in apath, said apparatus comprising a support member; first electricalcontact means carried by said support member; an actuating member; meansmounting said actuating member on said support member for rockingmovement about an axis from a neutral position to an operating position;second electrical contact means connected to said actuating member forrocking movement with the latter into and out of engagement with saidfirst contact means; yieldable stop means on one of said members; secondstop means on the other of said members and engageable with saidyieldable stop means in response to movement of said actuating mem berto an intermediate position between said neutral and operating positionsfor arresting movement of said actuating member to said operatingposition, said first and second contact means being so locatedrelatively to said members that they are out of engagement with oneanother when said [acuating] actuating member is in said neutralposition and are in engagement with one another when said actuatingmember is in each of said intermediate and operating positions; meansconnected to said actuating member for rocking the latter from saidneutral position to said intermediate position and for applying a forceof such magnitude on said actuating member as to enable said second stopmeans to deflect said yieldable stop means and effect movement of saidactuating member to said operating position; cooperable latch means onsaid members engageable to latch said actuating member in said operatingposition; and return means carried by said actuating member and movableinto the path of movement of said cam means for engagement thereby inresponse to movement of said actuating member to said operatingposition, engagement between said cam means and said return means beingoperable to disengage said latch means and return said actuating memberto said neutral position.

17. Apparatus as set forth in claim 16 including spring means acting onsaid members and biasing said actuating member to said neutral positionfrom said intermediate position.

18. Apparatus as set forth in claim [12] I6 including spring meansacting on said members and biasing said actuating member to saidoperating position from said intermediate position.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,794,193 2/1931 McKerlie ZOO-61.34 1,850,5493/1932 Johnson 2006l.37 2,924,680 2/1960 Swenson 20061.3

FOREIGN PATENTS 448,844 8/1927 Germany. 1,060,454 7/1959 Germany.

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner R. A. VANDERHYE, Assistant ExaminerUS. Cl. X.R. 20U6l.27, l66

